The Magic Hidden in the Nars Dogon Eyeshadow Duo, Unveiled

Many years ago, I tried a NARS duo eyeshadow in what I believe is Cleo and I disliked it. I swapped it away but a couple of years later, I’ve replaced it with a couple of different colours. We still can’t get NARS locally, but there’s news of it being available in Singapore later this year, and its available in Bangkok so its still fairly accessible. And of course, its available online 🙂

I dug out this duo eyeshadow palette in Dogon last week, because I was getting bored of the usual brands I was using. I wanted something different, and in the process, I rediscovered how much I enjoyed using Dogon, and a bit of magic in this eyeshadow duo 😉 The colours in pan, are described on the NARS website as Metallic Taupe with Icy Green Sheen and Charcoal black. That Taupe description was the one that sold me. I like Taupe as a shade but its so easy to get wrong. Happily, NARS didn’t 🙂

The size of the eyeshadow duos are the same as that of the infamous blushes. They also come in the signature rubber NARS packaging which I happen to detest with every fibre of my being. For now, these are still in good condition. Who knows when they’ll start melting 🙁

The compact is also surprisingly small, if you aren’t familiar with the products. The brand is most certainly larger than life but seeing it in person can surprise most.

Dogon in pan, is quite deep in tone. The taupe is slightly shimmery while the black is matte. I honestly didn’t think very much of the colours in pan, except that they were lovely neutral shades that I could quite easily pull off.

NARS Dogon eyeshadow swatches : Taupe shimmer, matte Black

When swatched, I did not quite see that icy green shimmer in the Taupe shade that NARS was going on about on their website. To my untrained eye, it was just a light taupe that was not too warm and not too cool. But lovely and pigmented and not shiny or glittery. The matte black side is quite unexciting, being a good pigmented, deep black.

Quite unexciting thus far right?

The magic happens when you layer and blend the two colours together.

See? The resultant colour is a deep blackened green that is absolutely stunning on the eyes! I used both the colours in this, with the matte black on the outer lid and the taupe on the inner lid. The middle bit, where the two colours overlap is the magical bit. I love it! 😀

You can tone it down of course, to be a little more wearable for the day in a conservative environment. Or if you like, you can smoke it out, pile on the black and take on an utterly glamourous look.

The texture of the shadows are soft to the touch and when swatched with fingers aren’t very impressive. Use a dense brush and then dab it on your skin. Then use a blender brush to blend the shades…. And watch the magic happen 🙂

In a nutshell

The NARS eyeshadow duo in Dogon features 2 contrasting shades of eyeshadow in shimmer and matte texture. One side is a shimmer taupe and the other is a matte black. The colours when combined and layered turn into a beautiful blackened green that is very lovely. Tone it down for the day or vamp it up for the night. This is one very versatile eyeshadow palette. Shame about the packaging. The rubber not only attracts dirt and marks, but will in time, melt and be sticky.

Pros: Nice blendable texture, Colours are nice used on their own or combined, You get 3 colours in one palette when you combine the taupe and black, Easy to pick up and deposit colour with brushes

Cons: Rubber packaging potentially melts and turns sticky, Pricey, Unavailable in Malaysia at time of writing

I liked how it looks on, and I find the combination a little warm. I tried pairing it with a pink lipstick but it looked off, so I went with a coral and it was much better. Also used a peach blush in keeping with the warm theme. I’m going to dig this out more often now that I’ve rediscovered it because its quite fool proof! 😀

Have you tried any NARS eyeshadows or eyeshadow duos? Do you have a favourite one or one that you think I might like to try? I have one or two more, I believe. Gotta go dig them all out and have a go at them. Its nice to go shopping in my stash 😀

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Its fun checking it out in person 🙂 The SAs in Bangkok are quite friendly although they don’t speak English and I don’t speak Thai so I’m left to browse in relative peace (since they can’t bug me hehe)

I went to the famous Gem Store when I was in Phuket, and they hired Chinese to catch tourists like me! haha. I thought if the counter is in a tourist area, they might have a English or Chinese speaking person. Our Apple Stores are hiring China Chinese (because Singaporeans don’t know technical Chinese, =P) just to catch the tourists.

Nope, the SA that I encountered couldn’t speak English but I was secretly glad because it meant I could swatch and play at will 😀 I do notice that most places are hiring people who speak Chinese for the giant China market. Sadly, I don’t speak Chinese either! LOL!

i totally get the magical part.. this is too pretty to be true! think you’ve blended it out so well on your eyes. i’ve read elsewhere that this was a limited edition for spring 2011? hoping we can somehow get it when NARS hits Singapore!

I believe it was limited edition but I see it on the official NARS site as well as on the online stores I shop for NARS at so hopefully, it is available in Singapore too! Else, there’s always online 😉 Which other NARS items are you eyeing, Stacey? I have actually passed NARS by for a while now but am slowly starting to sneak looks at it again 😛

Sin is a pretty colour. Might use it tomorrow 🙂 try Torrid too. I don’t really have anything on my wish list except maybe a couple more shadow duos. I want to check them out in person first and hope to make a trip down to Singapore when the brands here 🙂

Thank you for the offer Stacey, its awfully sweet of you! 🙂 I did read about GA being back in Singapore and no, we havent gotten it back here yet, boo 🙁 Looks like a year end trip to Singapore is due eh? 😉

Good grief, I forgot about this duo! I got it from HK last May and have not used it yet. Time to remedy that 😉 This is a really versatile duo and the taupe is so beautiful. The colours look great on you!

I’m a Nars fan.. I loved everything in their line.. Owned some of it… So mahal but good quality , very pigmented… a little goes a long way… Orgasm and deep throut Blushers is a must to have in your drawers ladies.. I love the loose powder too..

If there’s one word to sum up NARS, its pigmented 😀 Insanely so, sometimes. I’ve not used their blushes in a very long time now but should go and dig them out again 🙂 I never did review them properly the first time around 😉

I like how the metallic taupe swatches! I only have one blush (in Deep Throat) from NARS that I bought online a long time ago, and the box has melted slightly. =((( haha, I also dislike the rubber packaging a lot.

I have no idea what options they have. haha. shall wait for their counter to open, then I take my time to check them out. You are right about Tangs renovating to make space, because renovations are going on right now, and there are big prints to advertise new Tangs Beauty Hall in December.

Its so horrid right? the melty rubber? It makes me really dislike picking it up and I’ve actually stopped using all my blushes because of this. Someone has actually mentioned using rubbing alcohol to clean it so I will try but I don’t hold out that much hope. Its not the dirt that bugs me, its the sticky feel. I wish our beauty hall would be that exciting – Tom Ford and NARS in one go! So far, no news yet! Or maybe I should just take a trip to Singapore at the year end hehe…. 😉

I guess it wouldn’t be too long. Sephora didn’t take long to go grab a share of the beauty pie in Malaysia.

haha, the funny thing about me and NARS blush is that it was so pretty and really my only one, so I kind of treasured it too much to use at first minute. And I let it sit till it melted, now it is not as fun using it anymore. I’ve finally touched the Naked Palette, and now this post of yours is reminding me to make a dent in NARS as well.

By the way, for some reason, this particular shade Dogon, makes me think of a-England polish in deep royal green, I think that’s called Dragon? Dogon will match Dragon! hahaha.

I forgot to say one more thing… … =P I am a bit biased when it comes to Singapore, but I must say that Christmas at Orchard is good. And soaking myself in Christmas lights at night, with all the time in the world, wondering down the streets, is one of those annual rituals I must perform. There’s a certain unique feeling to go through Christmas in a bustling city. Of course, one must set aside that time to walk, then one will feel time slowing down and freezing when everyone else is rushing madly. It’s surreal. Bring a camera along for best results. haha.

Hey, its only natural to be biased towards one’s own country 😀 I enjoyed visiting Orchard at Christmas and enjoying the lights, but I’m not sure if its me, but the most recent couple of years were a bit of a disappointment for me. I told my friend so much about it and we went down a year or two back and it was not as pretty as it was when I was younger. I remember each store would have a giant display in front of it (still have the photos!) but now it seems less lavish. Still, its definitely interesting (and the sales are damned good! 😛 ) Maybe I should go to Singapore this Christmas (and take it some TF and Nars shopping – good idea eh? 😉 )

Don’t think it’s just you. But don’t think it’s really the malls either. haha, because I too feel that it’s not as nice as 10 years ago. It could be a growing up thing.

But last year’s was nice because Gucci sponsored (at least I think so) the entire Christmas deco for Paragon, and it was beautiful in gold and black, and whimsical merry-go-round horses. Gucci is so rich, they transformed the entire front of that building and that stretch of the road after taking over Ferragamo as anchor tenant. Tangs’ was nice too.

I don’t know if we’ll see the 2 big brands enter here to be honest. I do see the beauty market evolving, but I don’t know if there’s a real demand for such high end makeup here. 8 out of 10 people on the street that I see don’t even wear makeup! And voila! You are so right about this blended shade of Dogon resembling a polish. I think its more like St. George – will give them a good swatch and go! whee! 😀

I believe I read somewhere on someone’s blog that rubbing alcohol can help to clean up the mess the NARS rubbery packaging can result in ie a rather melted mess. Believe the blogger mentioned to wipe the melted part with rubbing alcohol and it would appear almost as good as new….just my one cent..

Try NARS All About Eve duo. It has always been in my “quick-access” compartment. Handy for days when I’m in a hurry or just feeling lazy. 😛
And it’s also my only NARS duo. Another one is arriving soon… 😉

All about Eve is one I’ve been thinking and thinking about but never sure if I should get. Some people say it just shows up as nothing, while others claim its an everyday life saver! Argh 😛 So, which are you expecting soon Sze Ling? 😀 You know, I’d love to own the Kuala Lumpur duo just out of city pride 😀 But the colours are so warm and red, I just know I can’t pull them off 🙁

I firmly believed Dogon is not for me, but upon seeing how it looks on you my heart just melted! I own one NARS duo (Paramaribo) and I’m madly in love with it! It’s just very easy to wear for my skin tone, and there’s SOMETHING about these shades that is very complex and makes it worth the money! I’ll have to swatch the heck out of NARS eyeshadows when I’m back in Taiwan and grab a couple more! It is sadly only available online here.

Its sooo gorgeous, Sunny! You must try this one but make sure you layer it for best effect 😀 You got me curious about Paramaribo too. I think I had a really bad experience the first time with NARS shadows so I didn’t like them at all. Now I do! There’s going to be so much for you to check out in Taiwan 😀

I was actually wondering if Paramaribo would be too warm for me. It looks that way on my screen. But maybe once its available in Singapore, I could go take a look and see how it fares 😉 And yes, work hard! Play harder in Taiwan! 😀

Awww.. Your eyes look soooo pretty! ^^
I don’t have any eyeshadow duo pallete. Only have 1 quad eyeshadow and 4 single. I rarely used eyeshadow too. I believe it doesn’t look good on me because I don’t know how to blend it well like you did. Maybe I have to try and practice using it. ^^

The trick I found, is to pat it on. So I use a dense shadow brush, dab into the shadow, then dab on the lid. This deposits the colour more heavily. I then blend out the edges using more shadow. It makes it more intense – give it a go and see 🙂